Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 506 - 489: Adopting the Suggestion

Chapter 506: Chapter 489: Adopting the Suggestion

The camera continued to zoom in, and within the comet’s nucleus, a group of silicon-based beings busied themselves.

They had established a production line, where various mineral resources were continuously transported by conveyor belts, processed through smelting furnaces, manufacturing machines, and other equipment, resulting in components that became new devices.

These silicon-based beings resembled living creatures, not only diligently working but also resting in residential areas, or engaging in recreational activities in the entertainment zone.

Of course, some silicon-based beings voluntarily transformed into another form: they became structures on the map, but for silicon-based life, this transformation did not signify the end of consciousness. They still cooperated with the development of their entire race.

The significantly taller silicon-based being, the First Executive, tirelessly ran about, directing construction.

He even had a set of special wearable mecha, which allowed him to shuttle between factories despite the harsh natural environment.

Meanwhile, in the magnificent Executive Hall, the leader of the silicon-based beings focused on various indicators, making decisions.

At this point, the video split into a dual-screen display, one side showing the Executive’s perspective, and the other the leader’s.

Through the interface UI, it was clear that these were two different players in control.

Then appeared an even grander scene.

First, a complete industrial district was established in the comet’s nucleus, with numerous smelting furnaces and manufacturing plants. Conveyors, like a dense network of rivers, unceasingly transported various materials.

Later, the scene shifted to the comet’s surface, where conditions were evidently harsher. Trailing the comet, a blizzard-like state continuously prevailed on the surface, with sublimating ice, dry ice, and various dust particles severely reducing visibility.

Yet, in these conditions, the silicon-based beings still erected various magnificent structures.

For example, there were special protective domes with constant temperature effects, enveloping all the surface facilities; and high-tech buildings that collected solar radiation or used the comet’s tail for power generation.

The camera shifted again, and various aircraft took off and landed on the comet’s surface, some flying to nearby planets for resource extraction.

But it was clear that the current level of technology was insufficient. Once departed from the comet, they would get further and further away, unable to catch up, and could only wait for the comet’s return cycle to journey back with the planet’s valuable resources.

Eventually, a massive interstellar fleet appeared on the comet, nearly depleting all its resources.

This interstellar fleet took away almost all of the silicon-based life, heading towards a blue planet.

When high-tech buildings also emerged on the blue planet, the promotional video was drawing to a close.

"Star Plan" - Heavenly Games!

...

Everyone fell silent.

This promotional CG was fantastic!

It was fantastic in that... it continued Nitiandang’s consistent deceptive marketing style.

Of course, Nitiandang’s deceptive marketing wasn’t entirely deceptive. Was this CG fake? Not at all.

Just like the previous promotional CG for "Blood of Lies," the CG for "Star Plan" also depicted reality, albeit only a part of it.

The content shown in the video would indeed occur in the game.

Only the proportion would be very different.

One key point was: the CG didn’t inform players that the game could easily end in failure due to disasters, and once failed, it would have to be restarted. This meant that the majority of the players’ time would be spent in the initial, dark, and colorful cavern.

Another key point was, regarding the conflict between the leader and the Executive, the CG made no mention, instead, creating a false impression of "two players who could cooperate."

But from the trial play, these two players were clearly in a state of mutual hindrance.

And this was obviously a deliberate design by the officials.

For two people like Shen Guang and Qiu Qinghong, who had a hierarchical relationship in real life, playing this game might lead to heated arguments, let alone strangers and regular friends.

Couples might also become a disaster area with many victims.

It would be quite humorous if "Star Plan" ended up becoming "Breakup Plan."

Shen Guang clearly thought this was somewhat inappropriate.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "President Wei, if we make suggestions, will the headquarters of Nitiandang receive them? Will they be considered?"

Wei Chengjie didn’t outright dismiss the idea, "They’ll definitely be able to receive them, I can reflect that to the Nitiandang headquarters at any time.

"After all, I’ve worked there as a producer before, everyone’s familiar.

"But whether they will be adopted, that’s hard to say. I can’t judge what the current producer’s thinking is.

"Moreover, many decisions are not made by a producer but by higher-level investors.

"Of course, Mr. Shen, if you have any suggestions or comments, you can also make them. Although the outcome is unpredictable, it’s fine to raise the issue."

Shen Guang nodded, "Alright, then I’ll just make a suggestion. Help me relay it, President Wei.

"That is, about the current matchmaking mechanism between the two players, could it be slightly optimized?

"I see in the current design scheme, there’s ’fixed pairing’ and ’random matching.’

"Fixed pairing seems fine to me, but with random matching, could someone deliberately cause trouble?

"Like, intentionally choosing an identity, then going into the game and messing around, just to amuse themselves.

"When it’s the leader’s turn, they would haphazardly set plans, deciding on the wrong goals; when it’s the Executive’s turn, they would randomly mess with the production line or secretly insert wrong parts into the production line to slow down the progress."

"If that were to happen, what about the other player who just wants to have fun?

"There’s nothing in the current design proposal that specifies how to handle this situation.

"I think we should add a feature allowing players to kick others or to add them to a blacklist.

"Even better, players on the blacklist should be matched with each other as a priority."

Once these suggestions were made, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Hmm? Right, Mr. Shen makes a good point."

"There should be some restrictions; otherwise, a few players could completely turn off the majority of normal players."

Wei Chengjie explained, "Mr. Shen, you might have missed the later part of the design proposal. In fact, there are some solutions for this kind of situation.

"Both players can use in-game mechanisms to drive away another player.

"The game actually has a ’public satisfaction’ setting, which will become increasingly important as the government system evolves. Because the demo is in the earliest stage and there are no technology points, this data was not highlighted.

"Using this setting, the head of state and the governor can check and balance each other.

"For a head of state, he can directly order the execution of a governor. However, the satisfaction level will vary depending on the governor’s comprehensive index.

"Conversely, if the public’s satisfaction with the head of state is too low, the governor can initiate impeachment to replace him."

Shen Fei suddenly understood, "Oh, there’s this setting? That’s pretty good.

"But while this sounds great in theory, I’m afraid the reality won’t be so optimistic.

"There is a natural imbalance of power between the two roles; it’s surely easier for the head of state to replace a governor.

"And these internal points only appear after a certain level of development, so I’m afraid it’s not very flexible in practice."

Wei Chengjie nodded, "Indeed.

"Although such mechanisms exist in the game design, I personally doubt how effective they will be.

"Well then, Mr. Shen, I’ll report this suggestion to Nitiandang headquarters, but I can’t guarantee they’ll adopt it."

Shen Guang was pleased, "Good, I’ll leave it to you, President Wei."

Actually, Shen Guang wasn’t too concerned about such matters. Adoption would be nice, but it was also normal not to adopt, since the designers at Nitiandang were all quite opinionated, or rather, quite stubborn.

It was merely his duty to offer a small reminder, and even the slightest chance to improve the game was welcome.

"Alright, let’s wrap up the meeting then. Everyone, the work is arranged, so let’s get moving!"

...

The next morning.

Wei Chengjie came to Shen Guang’s office.

"Mr. Shen, Nitiandang headquarters has given feedback. About the suggestion we made yesterday."

Shen Guang was surprised, "Oh? That was fast.

"It’s only been a day, right?

"Is Nitiandang’s efficiency that high?"

Wei Chengjie gave a light cough, "You don’t need to be too surprised, Mr. Shen. Nitiandang is known for its efficiency.

"Otherwise, we wouldn’t be expanding and accelerating game development this way."

Shen Guang thought about it, "Hmm, that’s true."

Nitiandang itself had enough staff; working with outsourcing companies was a move to further increase efficiency and shorten game development time.

So it wasn’t strange for a company that highly valued efficiency to provide quick feedback.

"So how’s the feedback?" asked Shen Guang.

Wei Chengjie took out a document, "This is the revised section of the design proposal regarding the ’matchmaking mechanism,’ Mr. Shen, take a look for yourself."

Shen Guang looked forward to it as he reached for the document.

"Adoption of suggestions from Chuangda Technology:

"New ’Revenge Mode,’ where a beheaded governor or impeached head of state, after being kicked out of the game, can search for the player who kicked them out and be preferentially matched in the new game they start.

"No, guys? What the...?"

Shen Guang was dumbfounded, turning to Wei Chengjie, "President Wei, are you sure this is what I suggested?

"What I proposed was to add a kicking feature, create a blacklist, and have players with more blacklisted instances match with each other!

"How did this turn into Revenge Mode?

"Are they trying to fan the flames even higher?"

Wei Chengjie coughed awkwardly, "Well, I’m not quite clear on what their exact thought process was, but if they’ve decided to design it this way, there must be some special reason, right?

"We’ll only know after the game is officially released."